New Delhi [India], April 16 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Wildlife Warden of Telangana to examine and take immediate steps to protect the wildlife affected on account of deforestation in 100 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih made it clear that not even a single tree should be felled in the area.
It also warned Telangana authorities about sending its officers responsible for deforestation to a “temporary prison” in the “very same spot” if the state justifies the felling of trees.
“If you (State) try to justify then… Better course would be to come up with a plan to restore the forest,” Justice Gavai told senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Telangana.
Justice Gavai further said, “We will go all out of the way for the protection of environment and ecology.”
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, appearing as Amicus Curaie to assist the court in the case, said that the land has been mortgaged to a private party.
“We are not on mortgage and all. We are only on how so many trees were chopped off without the permission of the State government. We are only on dozens of bulldozers and forests of hundred acres being destroyed. If you wanted to do something, you should have sought proper permissions,” said the bench.
Singhvi sought time to study a report prepared by the Central Empowered Committee on the issue, and the apex court gave the state four weeks, while listing the case on May 15.
Earlier, the Supreme Court, while taking suo moto cognisance of the felling of trees at the forest area in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana, stayed the felling of trees at the site and warned the Chief Secretary of the consequences if its order is not complied with.
It had ordered that until further orders, there shall be no activity of any sort at the site, except the protection of trees already existing.
The bench had also said that Chief Secretary of Telangana will be personally responsible and action will be taken if the court’s directions are not complied with in true spirit.
Advocate Parmeshwar had told the bench that massive felling of trees had taken place during the weekend holidays.
The land is located in the IT hub of Hyderabad and has become contentious, with people expressing concerns over the loss of green cover and space for wildlife there.
University of Hyderabad students were protesting against the auction of the land and wanted the land to be transferred to the university. (ANI)
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